Things to do in

Angkor Thom

Begin with an early pickup from your hotel at 4.30 AM in an air-conditioned vehicle, and travel to the main entrance of the Angkor Wat to admire the stunning sunrise over this ancient and mysterious complex. Next, visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom to marvel at the Bayon and Baphoun temples with their 54 towers and 216 faces of Buddhisatva Avalokesvara. Listen as your guide explains historical facts about the Temples and the Khmer empire. After lunch, see the Terrace of the Elephant and the Terrace of the Leper King known as the royal viewing platform and the stage of the king’s great audience hall. Enter Ta Prohm Temple and view the lush trees surrounding the temple’s stones. Finally, go to Banteay Kdei temple which was built by the King Jayavarman VII in the late of 12th century before returning to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Your 2-day tour with an English speaking guide allows you to make the most of a 3 day temple pass. You will see all of the unmissable temples and learn a lot of new information. After this you'll be able to decide if you want to rest on day 3, revisit any of your favorites or find some final places within the region in a private Tuk-Tuk without missing out on vital knowledge about the ancient Khmer empire. Day 1 Experience the beauty and power of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most visited attraction. The UNESCO-listed archeological site has a long, rich history and still looks magnificent, even more so beneath the glow of a rising sun. On this small-group tour, know how its energy feels, rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, and then benefit from the cooler weather and fewer crowds of the morning to explore the surrounding temples. You can purchase your temple pass in advance online or at the ticket office after your guide collects you from your accommodation. As the day progresses, you will discover other temples, taking occasional rest and food breaks. Angkor Thom, the well-known jungle temple, famous both for its past and its more recent feature in the Tomb Raider movie; Bayon, home to the large smiling faces, and some of the lesser-known but still outstanding temples, some of the best in our world, like the Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei, the pyramid temple, largely unrestored and used by monks. Ta Keo is a mountain temple built in the 10th century, which you will walk up, treading between the ancient and modern eras. Simply put, visit Angkor Wat and, step by step, see, feel, and learn more along with your guide for the day. It's a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Day 2 Within the Angkor complex are other magnificent temples. Preah Khan is the biggest temple on this loop, built by King Bayon for his father. The water around Neak Pean Island temple was used for bathing and health in the Angkor period. Ta Som has a distinctive big tree over the east gate and is formed with lots of sculptures of dancers with long hair; it was built for the king's sister. East Mebon, built for the ancestors, used to be in the middle of a reservoir and was constructed as early as the 10th century. Pre-Rup was built by the king for himself; often mistaken for a crematorium, a stone structure that looks similar to a coffin was used by Hindus to meditate within at the full moon. And Phnom Bakheang is at the top of a hill; its 33 towers represent the heavens. Life on earth is to be lived. Take the tour, which shows the interrelatedness of past, present, and future.

Experience the beauty and power of Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most visited attraction. The UNESCO-listed archeological site has a long, rich history and still looks magnificent, even more so beneath the glow of a rising sun. On this small-group tour, become part of its story, rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, and then benefit from the cooler weather and fewer crowds of the morning to explore the surrounding temples. You can purchase your temple pass in advance online or at the ticket office after your guide collects you from your accommodation. Once everyone is on board, you will first make your way to Angkor Wat, then walk around, inside the galleries, out the other side, and back in the vehicle to the next stop. As the day progresses, you will discover other temples, taking occasional rest and food breaks. Angkor Thom, the well-known jungle temple, famous both for its past and its more recent feature in the Tomb Raider movie; Bayon, home to the large smiling faces made popular in professional photography; and some of the lesser-known but still outstanding temples, some of the best in our world, like the Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei, the pyramid temple, largely unrestored and used by monks. Ta Keo is a mountain temple built in the 10th century, which you will walk up, treading between the ancient and modern eras. Simply put, visit Angkor Wat and, step by step, see, feel, and learn more along with your guide for the day. It's a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Follow the footsteps of holy Hindu men, Buddhist rulers, and Khmer kings on a guided day trip from Siem Reap to see the highlights of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. You will need a temple pass (1 or 3 days), which you can purchase online or have your guide take you to the ticket office before the tour begins. With occasional food and rest breaks, visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Tah Prohm. Walk around and inside each temple, with information from your guide, so you will understand what you see. After your entry fee, it only makes sense to pay a little more for a registered guide, so that you're not simply looking at the stones. The small group is never more than 13 people, so you will be in good company with other explorers. Get a feel for the 12th-century Khmer empire and stand amongst the magnificent monuments of Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world; educate yourself in a most enjoyable way. Know the rich history from one of the most enduring architectural achievements ever. Admire the stone figures that greet you at the southern gates of Angkor Thom and stroll towards the Bayon Temple to see the etchings of smiling faces at its central peak. Visit the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants. At Tah Prohm, soak up the atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings. After a full day of exploring Angkor's highlights, climb the steps to the temple mountain of Phnom Bakheng, the state temple of the first Khmer capital in the region, to watch the sunset. Then, make the return journey to Siem Reap and be dropped off at your hotel.

Day 1 – Full Day Banteay Srei Temples and Grand Circuit Temple   Start your 2 days with pick-up from your hotel around 8:00 AM, you’ll head off to visit the most interesting temples outside Angkor Thom city. Your first stop is Pre Rup Hindu Temple, built in 961 or 962, which combines laterite and sandstone construction. Then, drive to the intricately carved and well-preserved Banteay Srei – the detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are regarded as the finest and most skilfully crafted in Cambodia.   On the return journey, visit Neak Pean, a Buddhist temple on a circular artificial island within Jayatataka Baray, then continue to Preah Khan temple, a ruined but highly atmospheric mélange of tree roots and crumbling stone structures. Construction was commissioned by the prolific temple builder Jayavarman VII in honor of his father and a visit to this smaller site makes for an interesting contrast with the more imposing Angkor Wat. Preah Khan is currently being restored by the World Monument Fund and in places is in remarkably good condition. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Siem Reap after a memorable day of exploration. Day 2 – Temples of Angkor with Sunrise   Spend your day temple-hopping with your local guide to make the most of your visit to the world-famous Angkor complex, a site full of temples built between the 19th and 13th centuries. Begin with pre-dawn departure (between 4:15 and 4:40 AM) from your hotel to catch the sunrise outside of Angkor Wat. Then, explore the interior of the great temple, spending a thorough 2 hours discovering its corridors, central chambers, and upper terraces. Your expert guide will decipher the myriad of stories behind the bas-relief carvings and give you insight into life during the height of the Khmer Empire. End your visit to Angkor with breakfast just outside the temple.   Continue the morning with a visit to the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side – gods to the left and demons to the right – and the fortified city of Angkor Thom. See its beautifully crafted central towers, covered in more than 200 enormous faces, before exploring the famous central terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of Elephants. Finish your day with a visit to the temple Ta Prohm, once home to almost 3,000 monks. Return to your hotel at approximately 1:30 PM.  

You will be picked up from your hotel at between 8:00 a.m to 8:30 am and head directly to purchase the Angkor pass. Afterward, we head to one of Cambodia's jewels, the impressive Angkor Thom, which was the fortified "Great Royal City" built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. At the South Gate, we can see the imposing statue of Avalokiteshvara, which appears in the Tomb Raider movie. Next visit is Bayon temple, in Buddhist style and adorned with hundreds of faces made of stone, and also explore the Terrace of Elephants, former Royal Palace, Phimeanakas, Terrace of Leper King, and Baphoun temple, It is considered the largest Hindu temple in Angkor Thom city. Then, we drive to Ta Prohm temple, which has been left in its original state and is partly overgrown with trees and huge roots. It was also used as a backdrop for the film Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie. Enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant cooked by local chief and then visit the most authentic village"Phum Preah Dak" where you can learn how the local people make palm cake and palm sugar. In the afternoon, start to visit to the fascinating Angkor Wat, the largest sacred building on the planet and an icon of the Khmer civilization. It was built by King Suyavarman and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. It contains hundreds of decorations that cover the walls and the longest bas-relief in the world. It is surrounded by a giant moat, and its five towers are part of the Cambodian flag, and from the top you can see the impressive and dense jungle. Climb up mountain of the Phnom Bakheng for sunset and then transfer you back to your hotel.

Option 1 Experience the most famous and largest temples of the Angkor Wat region as well as hidden treasures on this private Tuk-Tuk journey from Siem Reap. Customize the start time, pick-up location, and number of travelers. Although your driver won't be a guide for within, he will be an English-speaking Cambodian with a great personality and more than able to answer your questions at each stop. The historic temples on this tour are some of the most beautiful, impressive, and best-preserved in the world. You can begin with an unforgettable sunrise and then explore in and around Angkor Wat itself and other temples that will give you wonderful insights into what life was like around these unique sites. Angkor Thom, while less famous than Angkor Wat, is arguably equally astounding in scale and ambition, and its grand approach is still humbling today. The temple of Bayon at its center is lined with countless beatific carved faces, gazing eternally at the surrounding forest. Ta Prohm is one of visitors' favorite sites, as it has been partially retaken by the jungle, giving it a beauty and tranquility all its own. Ta Keo was never finished and, as such, has a very different aspect from most of the Angkor temples. Its square, layered pyramid shape makes it one of the more dramatic sites on the tour, and climbing the terraces affords some beautiful views over the jungle. Banteay Kdei is also known as 'the citadel of monks' cells'. It is partially overgrown with towering, sinewy trees. The silky cotton tree roots weaving their way through the stones of the ruined walls are a famously beautiful sight. As this is a private tour, you are welcome to add more itinerary stops if you wish. Our Khmer driver will enrich your experience with his insight and passion. Book this tour to experience the mind-expending temples of Angkor firsthand. Option 2 You can take an entirely different route too, a loop of the further-out temples, and watch the sunset from Bakheang Mountain. The temple city of Angkor was the greatest metropolis in the world when London was just a village, and on this trip you'll see some of its greatest sites. Your first destination would be Pre Rup, an unbelievable Angkor site. After that, head to East Mebon, then on to the beautiful overgrown temple Ta Som, then the island shrine of Neak Pean. After that, it's off to Preah Khan, a temple at Angkor built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII to honor his father. Whichever option you choose, this private Tuk-Tuk tour will give you direct communication with our manager from the moment you receive a confirmation e-mail. We will adjust planned times and stops as necessary, and up to the very last minute, you can choose to spend longer with your driver, be dropped off at whichever location you choose, or even have him take you to explore parts of Siem Reap city, unless you prefer to go straight back to your hotel and reflect and rest.

Discover the magic and history of the Angkor Wan on a guided sunrise tour from Siem Reap. Get around this vast temple complex easily with a airconditioned bus or van. Have the option to choose from a group or private tour. See sights like the Ta Prohm and Bayon temples.  Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from your accommodation early in the morning. Arrive at Angkor wat and admire the glow of the sunrise on the ancient temple complex and surrounding jungle. Explore the interior of the great temple at Angkor, from its corridors and central chambers to the upper terraces. Hear stories behind the bas-relief carvings, and gain insight into life during the height of the Khmer Empire. Continue to Angkor Thom City and the Bayon Temple. At the end of the tour, visit the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric of all the temples in Angkor. Return to your accommodation in Siem Reap at the end of your tour.

Day 1: Pre Rub, Neak Pean, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei, and Bakheng Temple Today we visit the most interesting temples outside Angkor Thom city. You begin with first stop at Pre Rup Hindu temple built as the state temple of Khmer king Rajendravarman and dedicated in 961 or early 962. It is a temple mountain of combined brick, laterite and sandstone construction. Continue a drive for the intricately carved and well-preserved Banteay Srei. The detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are regarded as the finest, most skillfully crafted in Cambodia. Banteay Srei has only been accessible since the late 1990s, when the Khmer Rouge left the area. Return your journey back and visit Neak Pean temples, an artificial island with a Buddhist temple on a circular island in Jayatataka Baray and continue your afternoon to Preah Khan temple, a ruined but highly atmospheric mélange of tree roots and crumbling stone structures. Construction of this site was commissioned by the great 'temple builder' Jayavaraman VII (in honor of his father) and a visit to this smaller site makes for an interesting contrast with the more imposing Angkor Wat. Preah Khan is currently being restored by the World Monument Fund and in places is in remarkably good condition. Late afternoon return to town after a memorable day exploration. On the way back, enjoy a brief stop and discoveries with an ascent for sunset at Bakheng mountain temple. Day 2: Angkor Wat at sunrise, Ta Nei & Ta Prohm Temple, Angkor Thom Bayon  Begin with a pre-dawn departure for sunrise outside of Angkor Wat. Enter the great temple in darkness (please bring a torch) from the little-visited eastern side, and creep along hoary cloistered corridors past the longest stretch of bas-relief carvings in the world. End your tour at Angkor with breakfast outside the temple. Continue by moving on to the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm – one of the most atmospheric of all temples in Angkor. Once home to 2,740 monks, Ta Prohm today looks much as it did in the early 1850s, when French explorer Henri Mouhot ‘rediscovered’ this crumbling site. Move to drive to Ta Nei, a late 12th Century stone temple located in Angkor. Visit the southern Gate of Angkor Thom, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side - gods to the left and demons to the right – and the fortified city of Angkor Thom. At ‘The Bayon’, you will see its beautifully crafted central towers, covered in more than 200 enormous faces, then explore the famous Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of Elephants.

Join an unforgettable experience on this private sunrise tour of Angkor Wat. Follow a local guide and explore the Angkor complex before the crowds. Learn about local culture as you take in highlights including the jungle temple of Ta Prohm. Begin your tour with an early pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. Then, start your adventure by climbing the main entrance of the Angkor Wat and admiring the stunning sunrise over the site and all the surrounding temples. Visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom comprises the renowned Bayon and Baphoun temples originally made up of 54 towers and 216 faces of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. During the visit, learn the historical facts of the Angkor Temples and the Khmer empire and all the main Angkor architectural elements from your guide. After lunch (at your own expense), pass by both the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, known as the royal viewing platform and the stage of the king’s great audience hall. Next, head to Ta Prohm Temple, known as the “jungle temple” or “tree temple,” referring to the lush trees surrounding the temple’s stones. Marvel at the gigantic roots of the trees embracing the ruins that have made it one the Angkor’s most popular temples. End your tour with a visit to Banteay Kdei, a temple built by King Jayavarman VII in the late 12th century. After your visit, get dropped off back at your hotel in Siem Reap.